Your skin and the seasons

Allow me to digress from skin for a moment... As the seasons change so to do does our nutritional requirements, for example the increased needs of citrus fruits to combat flu during cooler seasons. Our environment provides us with everything we need during each seasonal change. Winter requires immune-boosting and mood pleasing food to combat the flu season and colder climate e.g. lemon, garlic, nourishing soups and winter warmers. Jump ahead to summer and we naturally shift to lighter meals, moorish and hydrating and  fruits, like watermelon to maintain energy and combat the heat. 

So why do we not take the same approach with our skin? 

Dryer seasons result dryer skin and therefore an increased need to use both nourishing and deeply moisturising products that penetrate the dermal surface, with ease. While Summer requires gentle cleansing of excess oils - cooling and healing properties to soothe our skin, when exposed to those sun-drenched days.

So how how can we balance our skin all year long, when the environment is continuously changing? Well, in the exact same manner we change our food requirements per season.  Our skin care products should change, just like our pantry (it really isn't as complex as it sounds). With a little knowledge and creativity, you can find many beneficial products to add to your current skin-care range already in your home; olive oil is a perfect example of this. A deeply nourishing oil that when used correctly can aid in combating cracked dry skin. 

Here are a few at-home remedies to apply to your current skin-care routine that assist in providing for our skin during each seasonal change.  

• Autumn: Add a few drops of botanical oil to your moisturiser for deeper nourishment: think olive, sunflower, almond, or apricot oil to name a few. 
• Winter: While in the shower, apply the aforementioned oils 2-3 times per week, to your entire body. Allow for a light rinse and thorough towel-dry at the end. Your body will feel silky smooth without any oil residue. 
• Spring: Ground coffee is an excellent exfoliant; add to a little of your cleanser, or carrier oil and apply in circular motions as a scrub. The benefits assist in removal of dead skin cells and increased circulation. It's also a great way to invigorate your mood as we move from the cooler, to warmer season.
• Summer: Jump in the ocean for a well balanced cleanse, we cannot replace what the environment has provided us for healing. Later a gentle cleanse and an Aloe Vera mask will cool and replenish your skin after a day in the sun. Aloe Vera is an easy plant to grow, simply peel back the external, green layer and apply the jelly-like substance directly to your skin, rinse after approximately 15 minutes. Chill in the fridge prior, to result a cooling sensation during application . 

Luther Blue utilise as many botanical based products and a range of oils in our Artisan soap collection, as a means to cater (with ease) more of what your skin may need, during each seasonal change.

Summer

Aloe vera based soap, with celery to cool and calm during winter.

Autum

Green-Tea and ginger with Jojoba oils to assist in transitioning from warmer to cooler weather by offering natural antioxidising ingredients, to balance skin.

Winter

Coffee, cocoa butter soap scrup to moisturise and exfoliate dead skin cell build up and stimulate circulations

Spring

Rose, coconut oil and shea butter to invigorate and guide you from the slumbers of winter into the arrival of the warmer season. A lighter moisturising soap, to aid transitional needs from deeply moisturising to lighter hydrating formulations. 

Our artisan soap collection is ever-evolving utilising traditional and contemporary practices to create a life-long experience of shower-time enjoyment. Take the time to nurture your skin, pause to inhale its aroma and exhale the business of your day.

*NB Please note the importance of knowing your individual skin type. A topic we will discuss in a later blog. Your skin type should always be the first indicator to inform on what products will best suit you.